Play it safe
Find out how the correct equipment can help keep you safer in the saddle
Photos: Lucy Merrell, Jon Stroud
33%
of
H&R
readers own more than one riding hat
TOP TIP
Most governing bodies have safety equipment rules, so it’s worth checking these if you plan to compete.
Gone are the days when a riding hat was simply for aesthetics or tradition. The collective attitude towards rider safety has transformed over recent decades, alongside dramatic technological developments, which together have led to a suite of rider safety equipment that has changed the outcomes of many riding accidents.
But there’s more to staying safe than simply buying top of the range items of each type – how you care for it and how frequently you replace your kit is important, too.
At the drop of a hat
With continual developments in helmet technology, riding hats have never been safer or more comfortable. But with so many different types on the market, how can you decide which one’s right for you?
The right style
The first decision is which type of hat to go for. For most disciplines you have a free choice of whichever style meets your governing body’s minimum safety standards. However, if you plan to ride cross-country you’ll need a skull cap rather than a fixed peak. This is because a fixed peak may not give way if you land on it, which could result in severe neck injury.